SERVING ANTHONY, INTON, ANUTILLO, AST MONTANA, …Mar 24, 2011 · assessment system; and Dr....

SERVING ANTHONY, VINTON, CANUTILLO, EAST MONTANA, HORIZON, SOCORRO, CLINT, FABENS, SAN ELIZARIO AND TORNILLO

NEWSBRIEFS

VOL. 38, No. 12 MARCH 24, 2011

To err is human. But to really louse it up, it takes a computer.

— Quips & Quotes

See BRIEFS, Page 5

By Alfredo VasquezSpecial to the Courier

1973

2011

38Years

The 18th Annual BEEMS (Bilingual Education Emphasizing Math and Science) Conference will be held March 24-26, at the Undergraduate Learning Center (UGLC)/ on the University of Texas at El Paso campus. Participants will have an opportunity to network with teachers, school administrators, school board members, parents and students from the El Paso/Ciudad Juárez area, Texas, across the nation, and Latin America.

The BEEMS Conference is a three-day event that includes a School Board Member Institute, an Administrators Institute, Advance Academic Training, and sessions for teachers, principals, parents, university faculty, and students.

Dr. Josie Tinajero, dean of the College of Education the University of Texas at El Paso, and Dr. Pauline Dow, associate superintendent for Ysleta Independent School District, are conference co-chairs.

“The BEEMS Conference is a conference for teachers, administrators, parents and students with an emphasis on Two-Way Bilingual Education. The conference will include sessions for educators and parents who are interested in expanding and enhancing bilingual/ESL programs in grades K-12 and at the university level,” Dr. Dow stated. “We are anticipating as many as 800 participants from the nine school districts in the El Paso area, New Mexico, other parts of Texas and around the U.S.”

BEEMS Keynote speakers include Dr. Angela Valenzuela, associate vice president at the University of Texas at Austin, who will speak about Texas’ current and evolving

– Photo by Alfredo Vasquez

ONE-ON-ONE – BEEMS Conference presenter Judith Valle (shown in photo) guides Davenport Elementary School first grade students through interactive computer activities that she said bring the world to students’ fingertips. Valle said that students can download videos, pictures, and information both in English and in Spanish and that these interactive exercises are excellent for ESL and Special Ed students.

UTEP hosts 18th Annual BEEMS Conference

• In 2008, more than 460 languages were spoken by Limited English Proficient student in the United States.

• In Texas, over 120 languages are represented: Over 90 percent are Spanish speakers.

• Prominent languages other than Spanish include Vietnamese, Arabic, Urdu, and Korean.

• Experts predict by the year 2020, at least 50% of school-age children will be of non-English speaking backgrounds.

assessment system; and Dr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus at the University of Southern California, whose presentation will review the ever-growing evidence supporting free voluntary reading and the importance of libraries.

Featured speakers are: Dr. Kathleen Contreras, professor in the School of Education at California State University in Ventura; Dr. Jose Agustin Ruiz-Escalante, a nationally renowned leader in bilingual education; Ismael May May, professor at the Academic University of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico in Merida, Yucatan; Dr. Gilberto Soto, professor of Music Education at Texas A&M International University; Dr. Jimmy Santiago Baca, a writer, filmmaker and founder of Cedar Tree, Inc.; Dr. Patrick Smith, associate professor of Literacy/Bi-literacy at the University of Texas at El Paso; and Dr. Sylvia Linan Thompson, associate director of the National Research and Development Center of English Language.

The conference will also offer various concurrent sessions for participants to choose from in both English and Spanish. In addition, participants will be able to visit local area schools to observe applications of best-practice teaching methods in a bilingual education setting.

One of the sessions is a six-hour presentation on creativity and instructional strategies for gifted and talented students titled, Powerful Strategies to Enhance Creative Learning of Gifted and Talented Student.

This GT course will be presented by Judith Valle and Laura Schenk, GT teachers with Canutillo Independent School District. Valle stated that the session focuses on practical strategies to help teachers implement creative ideas in the classroom by using technology. “Technology provides creative opportunities for students to analyze, synthesis, and evaluate ideas, as well as use curiosity to challenge their imagination,” she said.

Sessions for school administrators include Transitioning from TAKS to STAAR: What We Know and Don’t Know, which will consist of the most recent

information, released by the Texas Education Agency regarding STAAR assessments and accountability as well as offer the latest curriculum resources available.

Presenters for this update session are from Ysleta Independent School District’s Department of Assessment, Research, Evaluation and Accountability including Sue Thompson, department director; Raquel Cortez, accountability coordinator; and Sue Telehany, assistant testing coordinator.

For more information, call 915-747-5675 or send email to [email protected].

Thief, arsonistPolice have been searching for the thieves who cut a wire fence to get into the Sundance Feed and Needs Store at 11630 Alameda. Investigators have some leads and now want to find everyone involved. The thieves broke into the back of the business and made off with 15 steel pipes that were 16 feet long and 2-three eighths inches in diameter – commonly used for fencing – along with a 20-foot, 10” inch blue I-beam. Because of the weight and size detectives know more than one person was involved. The bandits turned arsonists when they set a fire to cover up the theft. The business owner lost some business machines in the fire but no one was hurt. Police believe the thieves/arsonist will strike again and want to know if anyone has any information that will allow the investigators to put these thieve behind bars and protect any one who is worried about being ripped off. If you know something call the Socorro PD 858 6986 or 858 6216.

– David Garcia

ArrestedEdward Ortiz, 40, of Fabens was arrested early Monday morning for DWI after slamming into a mobile home with his car. At approximately 1:00 a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the

300 block of N.W. G Ave. in Fabens and observed a grey Dodge Magnum with heavy front damage against a mobile home. Deputies made contact with the driver (sole occupant) who was highly intoxicated and standing outside the vehicle. Deputies

detected a strong odor of unknown alcohol beverage emitting from his breath and person. Ortiz failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. Ortiz was diving his Dodge Magnum north on NW 3rd St. (a residential area) at a high rate of speed when he lost control at a curve and collided with a chain link fence impacting with the mobile home. The car hit the mobile home with so much force that the mobile home was moved approximately two feet due to the impact. There was a family inside of the mobile home asleep at the time of the accident but no one was injured. Ortiz told Deputies he had consumed nine beers prior to the accident.

– Deputy Jesse Tovar

Crime StoppersA man riding his bicycle to work at night on the westside, using all the proper safety equipment is struck by a vehicle

Edward Ortiz

March 24, 2011

Veterans Post By Freddy Groves

PUBLISHED:Published each Thursday byHomesteader News, Inc. Appreciation to our many contributors. Office open Monday through Thursday.

COPYRIGHT:Entire contents © 2011 Homesteader News, Inc. Individual authors retain all rights. Pictures, drawings and written material appearing in the West Texas County Courier may not be used or reproduced without written permission of Homesteader News, Inc.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:Letter must not be more than 250 words in length. They should be dated, must be signed and have an address and daytime phone number. Only the name and city will be printed with the letter. The Courier reserves the right not to print letters to the editor or other submitted materials it considers inappropriate.

AD DEADLINE:Monday 4 p.m. for Thursdaypublication.

CLASSIFIED RATES$10 for 25 words, $15 for 40 words. Ad must be in writing and pre-paid. The Courier reserves the right not to print classified advertising it considers inappropriate.

DISPLAY RATES:Open rate — $25 per column inch. Call for more information or to set an appointment. The Courier reserves the right not to print advertising it considers inappropriate.

MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS:Minimum 50 issues for $36.Delivery via 1st class mail.

MAIL:15344 Werling Ct.Horizon City, TX 79928

Phone: 852-3235Fax: 852-0123

E-mail: [email protected]: wtxcc.com

PublisherRick Shrum

ContributorsAlfredo VasquezDon WoodyardSteve Escajeda

1973

2011

38Years

Member Texas CommunityNewspaper Association

HHomesteader

Est. 1973

News, Inc.

It boggles the mind, but… a church in Kansas is against gays, and so they take it out on parents and families who are gathered at the funerals of veterans.

And the Supreme Court votes 8-to-1 to call those protests and funeral disruptions “free speech.”

The recent Supreme Court verdict was the last stop for a lawsuit that had its origins in 2006 at the funeral of a young Marine. The veteran’s father filed suit against the church for the disruption of his son’s funeral and the accompanying anguish. With their decision, the Supremes have given the church a free hand to continue.

Former President George Bush signed a law prohibiting protests within 300 feet of the entrance of any National Cemetery. That doesn’t cover private cemeteries.

Since this is happening everywhere, states are writing laws, some stronger than others. At last count, some 40 states have a law of some kind against protesting or disrupting a funeral. They have varying distances that protesters have to stay away. Some call it a misdemeanor, some

a felony.Now, here’s where you come

in. There’s thought that the church’s

attorney is set to challenge the state laws and try to dismantle them one by one.

Find out what your state’s laws are about disrupting funerals. Is it a misdemeanor or a felony? What is the penalty in terms of money and time in jail? Then, take your pen in hand and start writing letters to your state’s members of congress, or making calls. Let them know how you feel. Push for stronger laws: 1,000 feet or more, with a felony for the first conviction. If enough of us bombard our senators and representatives with mail and calls, they’ll have to take notice. Make it clear you want strong laws with no wiggle room.

Consider: Members of that church may be coming to your town, too.___________________________Write to Freddy Groves in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to [email protected]. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

Funeral disruptions

We need stronger laws

The Salvation Army is warning donors to beware of a bogus email appeal that asks for donations to The Salvation Army’s Relief efforts in Japan. The appeal, claiming to be from “Salvation Army National Corp.,” urges donors to send a donation to an email address that is not a valid Salvation Army address.

The scam uses actual language such as The Salvation Army Mission Statement, history, and programs, which has been taken from legitimate Salvation Army sites. The word humbly is repeated

Scammers target Salvation Army donorsBy Major Mark Brown

Special to the Courier

several times. It also lists The Salvation Army’s International web address, all in an attempt to trick donors into believing that the email is legitimate.

The bogus email includes the following header, emails and address:

• From: Salvation Army National Corp. [mailto: [email protected]]

Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 7:57 PM

Subject: Japan earthquake and Tsunami: How to help/Salvation Army?

• Salvation Army National Corp.Alton, Hampshire, GU34United Kingdom

[email protected]

There are also overseas phone numbers that do not belong to the Salvation Army.

The fake solicitation also seeks too much personal information including your full name, age, full address, phone number, gender and amount of donation. Not only will they steal any donation, they will probably steal your identity as well.

Those interested in The Salvation Army’s relief efforts should visit The Salvation Army USA’s national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

There are four ways people can securely contribute money to The Salvation Army’s disaster relief efforts in Japan:

• Text the words “JAPAN” or “QUAKE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation;

• By phone: 1-800-SAL-ARMY;• On-line at: https://donate.

salvationarmyusa.org; and• Send your check, marked “Japan

earthquake relief” to The Salvation Army World Service Office, International Relief Fund, PO Box 630728, Baltimore, MD 21263-0728.

Monetary donations are the most critical need as supplies and personnel are mobilized. These funds offer the greatest flexibility and enable local disaster responders to purchase exactly what is needed as close to the disaster zone as possible.

At this time, The Salvation Army is not accepting donations of goods or household items (gifts-in-kind) from the general public for disaster relief operations in Japan.

The Salvation Army is extremely grateful for the generosity that has already poured in to help us meet both immediate and long-term needs.

Currently 25.8 million Americans have diabetes and each year the number continues to increase.

March 22 was National Diabetes Alert Day. Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday of March, National Diabetes Alert Day serves as a wake-up call for people nationwide – alerting them of the seriousness of diabetes. Preventing and controlling diabetes starts with changing your lifestyle – and it’s never too late to start with these simple steps:

• Get your beauty sleep.Not only is a good night’s sleep

a mood booster; it can also help to fight off the onset of diabetes. According to a study conducted at Yale University, 1,709 men found that those who regularly got less than six hours of sleep doubled their risk of diabetes. Previous studies proved the same for women.

• It’s time to get physical.According to the National Institutes

of Health, more than 65 percent of American adults are overweight or obese and this percentage continues to climb. Not only is exercise a great solution to battling obesity,

Prevention, management of diabetes is crucialBy Jean Schiffer


for those with diabetes, exercise can mean the difference between ”living with my diabetes” and “managing my diabetes”. For seniors, even minor adjustments to their lifestyle can increase their exercise, such as making sure to get up out of their favorite chair to walk around the home.

• You are what you eat.Diabetes is one of the many

diseases where your food plays a role in the prevention and treatment of the disease. Taking your eating habits seriously will help shrink your waistline and lower your risk for diabetes. Certain food choices can also greatly affect blood sugar levels. Choosing a diet high in healthy carbohydrates and fiber, and avoiding saturated fats, cholesterol and sodium can help prevent and manage diabetes.

• An eye doctor a year can keep blindness away.

According to Prevent Blindness America, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, or retinopathy, among adults aged 20–74 years. Those with diabetes should have their eyes checked every year. Additionally, controlling blood sugar levels can slow the progression and onset of retinopathy in diabetics.

• Stay one step ahead of foot problems.

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes. One of the biggest threats to your feet is smoking. Why? Because smoking affects small blood vessels and can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow to the feet. So take good care of your feet and see your healthcare provider right away about any foot problems or pain. You can also inquire about prescription shoes that are covered by Medicare and other insurance plans.

The most important thing you can do for yourself, and your loved ones, is to educate yourself about diabetes. Focus on prevention, including staying active and maintaining a healthy diet. Talk to your doctor about your risk of developing diabetes. You can still live a healthy and full life following a diabetes diagnosis by following your doctor’s recommendations and monitor your blood sugar closely.____________________________Jean Schiffer is the Community Outreach Manager for Care Improvement Plus (www.careimprovementplus.com).

View from here By Robert Romano

March 24, 2011

House Republicans have unveiled a very strong presentation they are making to constituents while Congress is on recess this week. It could indicate that a strong push is coming to rein in mandatory spending, meaning the $61 billion the House has proposed cutting from non-defense discretionary is only the beginning of the work to be done in bringing the nation’s fiscal House into order.

That’s good, because the proposal to cut spending in the continuing resolution does nothing to address the problems House Republicans outline in their presentation to constituents. Of course, they may have in advertently opened up a can of worms of problems that need to be explained to the American people.

• • •According to a fact sheet being distributed

by the House Republican Conference, “our nation’s retirement and health security programs, coupled with our debt payments, are the real drivers of our debt crisis.”

The presentation cites a Tarrance Group poll demonstrating public misconceptions about the nature of the nation’s sovereign debt crisis, which says, “A majority of voters incorrectly believe the federal government spends more on defense/foreign aid than it does on Medicare and Social Security (63 percent).” In fact, security spending accounted for $815 billion in 2010 compared to $1.147 trillion for Medicare and Social Security.

Overall, so-called mandatory, autopilot spending, which includes Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs, will account for $27.3 trillion from 2012-2021, compared to just $8.5 trillion for security spending, according to the Office of Management and Budget. Mandatory spending comes about because of congressionally enacted laws based on eligibility determinations rather than line-item appropriations, thus requiring the money to be spent whether Congress votes up or down on new monies to be dispensed.

Currently, such spending accounts for $1.95 trillion a year, but that number will rise to $3.47 trillion by 2021, a 91 percent increase. Security spending, on the other hand will only rise from its current $815 billion level to $914 billion in 2021, a mere 12 percent increase.

The Tarrance Group poll outlines the uphill battle Republicans will have with bringing these facts to the attention of the American people. “Less than half (44 percent) believe Medicare and Social Security costs are a major source of problems for the federal budget (49 percent disagree),” says the poll. That’s bad, because mandatory entitlement spending by every measure is threatening to consume the entire budget.

As a result, the presentation urges Americans to “share the facts with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers” and to “let them know ignoring the problem will only make the problem worse”. That’s putting it mildly.

While there is a general sense among Americans that spending has increased dramatically since 2007, when the financial crisis began, most are probably not aware of by just how much Congress has increased taxpayer liabilities. In 2007, the budget was $2.728 trillion with a budget deficit of just $160.7 billion, but will rise in 2011 to $3.818 trillion with an eye-popping $1.645 trillion deficit. That’s a $1.09 trillion or 39

Debt: A vexing can of wormspercent increase in spending in just four years, and a 923 percent increase in the budget deficit.

How could the deficit go from $160.7 billion to $1.645 trillion in just four years? A small part of it was the recession, which found revenues plummeting from $2.567 trillion in

2007 to a projected $2.173 trillion for 2011. But that only accounts for $394 billion of the increased shortfall.

M a n d a t o r y spending increases account for $745 billion of it, which has risen from $1.449 trillion to $2.194 trillion in 2011. Discretionary spending, which includes defense spending, has increased by $374

billion since 2007. In that subcategory, defense spending increased by $213 billion.

In other words, if the economy and thus revenues completely recovered to their 2007 levels, and discretionary spending was cut by a gargantuan $374 billion, the budget deficit this year would still be well over $700 billion.

But that’s only the beginning of the problems House Republicans have with explaining the extent of the fiscal catastrophe facing the American people.

• • •One thing the House Republican

presentation fails to outline is why the large debt is in fact unsustainable. Nations all over the world have large debts, but when anyone proposes paying it down, folks may not fully understand why it is necessary to reduce its size. “Why can’t we just keep borrowing?” is the question that is asked, and it is the one that the political Right must answer in order to make the strongest case possible for reining in spending.

Because if the nation could just keep borrowing ad infinitum without any harm, there really would be no reason to ever cut spending.

Of course, the reason that the debt must in reality be reduced is because the entirety of the debt, now $14.1 trillion, has to constantly be refinanced. When refinancing is added to the deficit spending, this year $1.645 trillion, the government now has to issue over $2 trillion in treasuries every single year. By 2021, it will about $4 trillion a year in treasuries sold to refinance and create new debt as the total debt climbs to over $25 trillion. By then, total interest payments (net interest plus interest owed on Social Security and Medicare trust funds) will be over $1 trillion, and well over $2 trillion by 2030.

The raiding of the trust funds alone is an issue that needs to be unpacked. Congress thought it was wise to grow the trust funds by allowing them to earn interest by converting the funds into treasuries. That’s fine if one assumes an infinite supply of money and an unlimited capacity to borrow. As outlined above, the size of the debt to refinance plus spiraling interest payments prove the fallacy of that assumption. People are going to wish they had stuffed that money into mattresses and told FDR and LBJ to take a hike.

Because the government never contemplates debt repayment, every year, the amount of borrowing necessary to refinance and engage in deficit-spending grows, until soon there will be a day the markets will simply not have enough loot to lend to us. That day of reckoning could happen this decade, but if

See WORMS, Page 5

March 24, 2011

CryptoQuipAnswer

The price of shingleshas escalated rapidly.

You could say it’sgoing through the roof.

By Julie KellySpecial to the Courier

STRANGEBUT TRUEBy Samantha Weaver

• It was venerable American newscaster David Brinkley who made the following sage observation: “The one function TV news performs very well is that when there is no news, we give it to you with the same emphasis as if there were.” • According to Guinness World Records, the oldest cat in the world was named Crème Puff and lived to the ripe old age of 38 years and three days. • If you do much printing, you might not be surprised to learn that if you figure out the cost by volume, the average ink cartridge for a printer costs seven times more than Dom Perignon champagne. • On an average day in the United States, 90 million cans of beer will be consumed. • If you’re planning a summer jaunt to Atlantic City, N.J., this year, you might want to stop by Margate City, just a couple

of miles south of the gambling mecca. While you’re there you can see the oldest zoomorphic structure in the United States. Lucy the Elephant, built in 1882 by James V. Lafferty, is 65 feet tall and has served at various times as a cottage, a business office, a restaurant and a tavern. In 1976 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. • It was United Airlines that hired the first stewardesses for its flights, back in 1930. In addition to being attractive and charming, stewardesses had to be registered nurses. • Those who study such things say that in ancient Mesopotamia, it was not unusual for those of the wealthy classes to crush semiprecious stones and adhere the powder to their lips.

Thought for the Day: “In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it. The last is much the worst.”

– Oscar Wilde

(c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

If you grew up in rural Texas you know how important the doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical practitioners are to the community. Local access to medical care is not an urban luxury, but a basic service rural Texans should not be without. The trouble is it’s hard to find licensed health care practitioners willing to practice in rural areas.

Fortunately, the Texas State Office of Rural Health offers the Outstanding Rural Scholar (ORS) Program, a forgiveness loan program that matches individuals who want to become licensed health care professionals with rural community sponsors in need of dedicated health care practitioners to serve in their communities.

The program is unique because it pays tuition and living expenses for the duration of the student’s education. Because ORS is a forgiveness loan program, the cost of education is exchanged for paid service in the community upon

– Photo by Julie Kelly

PAYING IT BACK – Noel Rios went to school and became a radiology technician under a contract with the State of Texas. The State and hospital paid his tuition and living expenses such as rent, transportation costs, even childcare expenses. When Noel received his license he returned to La Grange Hospital to work off his obligation as an x-ray technician.

Unique program helps future rural health practitioners go to school for freeTuition and living

expenses paid, application deadline

is May 20

licensure, which is another benefit of the program: a guaranteed paycheck after graduation.

It’s a partnership that provides what everyone wants – communities get the dedicated health care practitioners they need, students get tuition and living expenses covered. In Texas there are 177 eligible rural counties looking for individuals willing to make a commitment to a rural practice.

For example, La Grange Hospital and the Texas State Office of Rural Health paid for Noel Rios to go to school and become a radiology technician. He entered into a contract with the State of Texas and attended school while the State and hospital paid his tuition and living expenses such as rent, transportation costs, even child care expenses. Upon licensure, Noel returned to La Grange Hospital to work as an x-ray technician; he was paid a competitive wage for his services. After meeting his service obligation, he was free to go practice wherever he pleased, but chose to stay in La Grange, his hometown, and is an appreciated member of the community and the hospital staff.

To participate in the program, you must meet certain academic standards and be willing to work in the sponsor community for the same amount of time they paid for you to attend school. If seeking a degree

to become a physician, you must complete a residency program in the field agreed upon with the rural community sponsor.

New awards are based on the availability of money in the ORS program. For FY2011, the program currently has $300,000 available. This amount is subject to change without notice as grants are awarded. Sponsors may be located in any of

Texas’ 177 rural counties. Individuals must pursue studies in an eligible health care profession, agreed upon by their sponsor, including: medicine, dentistry, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, chiropractic, behavioral health, allied health, family practice, emergency medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, general surgery, or general obstetrics and gynecology.

Application deadlines are the third Friday in May (fall semester); third Friday in September (spring semester); and the third Friday in January (summer semester). For more information, contact Ada Grant, Texas Department of Rural Affairs, at 512-936-6715 or visit http://www.tdra.texas.gov/TxDRA/programs/sorh/Grants/ORSProgram.aspx.

March 24, 2011

and left on the roadside in critical condition, making this the Crime Stoppers “Crime of the Week.” On Thursday, May 6th, 2010, at approximately 10:30 P.M., Anthony, N.M., resident Mr. Ruben Lemus, age 51, was riding his bicycle to work at Leviton Manufacturing on El Paso’s west side. Lemus had made the ride many times before and was wearing a safety helmet, and also had safety lights in front and back of his bicycle. He was riding on the far right side of the roadway, and was within two miles of his destination when an unknown vehicle ran him down. He was struck in the 7300 block of South Desert. Lemus died a month later, on June 8, 2010, as

a result of his injuries. Although it is unknown what type of vehicle struck Lemus and fled the scene without rendering aid, investigators are hoping that someone witnessed the incident as it took place on the Gateway next to I-10 heading east into town. A passerby who called police spotted the victim. Lemus was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. The vehicle involved would show a considerable amount of front-end damage. If you have information about the identity of the suspect and/or the location of the vehicle, please call Crime Stoppers immediately at 566-TIPS (566-8477) or on-line at www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org. You will remain anonymous and, if your tip leads to an arrest, you can qualify for a cash reward.

– James Klaes

BriefsFrom Page 1

it doesn’t, it will most certainly happen next decade.

An immediate solution to preventing that sort of catastrophe is to prohibit the Fed from purchasing treasuries directly and from funneling easy money into the primary dealers to buy them. Once the Fed’s direct purchases stop in June, at which time the Fed’s treasuries holdings will be about $1.5 trillion, the central bank’s discount lending at less than the rate of interest on treasuries appears to be the only way we will even able to meet our current financing obligations. So, an easy way to deal with the problem is to add a constraint on borrowing, forcing

Congress to make massive cuts. Bernanke could do this unilaterally if he chose to.

So, if we had a responsible steward of the currency, it would be cost prohibitive to print money for the purpose of buying debt. This would in turn impose borrowing constraints on the government. If those constraints were put into place before the tidal wave of refinancing hits the Treasury, the fiscal catastrophe we face could be averted.

• • •Overall, House Republicans have

a considerable challenge explaining the enormity of problems the nation faces. Because Washington, D.C. has lacked leadership, most Americans are not aware that mandatory entitlement spending by far is what

is driving the sovereign debt crisis, and is largely the reason the deficit has gotten so out of control. Finally, Americans do not understand the mechanisms by which the government borrows, including the enabling role played by the Federal Reserve.

All of this needs to be explained to the American people so that, politically, they have the tools they need to make decisions about which public officials are playing straight with them on the $14.1 trillion national debt. This may be a vexing can of worms, but this is one can of worms that everyone really needs to see – before it is too late.____________________________

Robert Romano is the Senior Editor of Americans of Limited Government (getliberty.org).

WormsFrom Page 3

Classified AdsCOUNSELINGSERVICES

D A M I A N M A U R E I R A , LCSW - P r o f e s s i o n a l C o u n s e l i n g /Therapy: Youth, Adults, Marital, Family, Health insurance and FEE SCALE A C C E P T E D . Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP. 657 Winn Rd. in Socorro, Texas. Call 858-3857 for appointment._______________

DRIVERS

Drivers:Regional Positions

Good wages + Benefits

Low Cost MedicalPaid Vacation

Owner Operartors Welcome

800-469-7714/

wdtmilk.com_______________

Drivers: Company Team, Solo and Owner Operator

Runs!Great Pay & Benefits!

CDL-A, 1yr OTR Exp. Req.

TSI: 800-833-5908_______________

HANDYMAN

Handy Man for Hire. Specialties: heating & cooling, duct work, ceramic tile, marble counters, painting, yard work, h o u s e keep i n g . Reasonable prices. Call Juan at 407-5763/875-9896._______________

JOBS

POSITION OPEN

Town ofHorizon City

Police Officer

Horizon City Police Dept is accepting applications for Police Officer. Applications are available at the Horizon City Police Dept, 14999 Darrington Rd, Horizon City, TX, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F. Call (915) 852-1047 for more information. Closing date is 04/22/11. EOE.

Karen EllefsonCity Clerk

Town ofHorizon City

WTCC: 03-24-11

_______________

PETS

Miniature

Pinschers, 6 wks-old. Black and tan. $200. (575) 589-2037 0r (915)

588-0635._______________

SERVICES

RESIDENTIAL WINDOW TINTING• FREE

ESTIMATES(915) 562-1300

Proline_______________

SELF-HELP

Persons who have a problem with alcohol are offered a free source of help locally. Alcoholics Anonymous - call 562-4081.

Tiene problemas con el alcohol? Hay una solucíon. Info: 838-6264.

If you hear lots of coughing around you, it might be more serious than just a cough.

Whooping cough (pertussis) outbreaks are on the rise. To help protect both adults and infants from this disease, Texas Medical Association (TMA) physician leaders urge adult patients to get vaccinated. Instead of getting just a tetanus vaccine, adults should consider getting the combined tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. And now adults over age 65 who care for an infant or plan to be around one should get the Tdap shot too.

This updates official recommendations by the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to keep communities healthy and free of preventable diseases.

Pertussis is commonly called whooping cough because of the distinctive “whoop” sound an infected patient makes when he or

Doctors say shield yourself with a Tdap shotBy Brent Annear


she gasps for air between coughs.“Whooping cough is quite

dangerous for infants,” says Donald Murphey, MD, member of TMA’s Committee on Infectious Diseases. Close to 17,000 people suffered from whooping cough in 2009, and 12 infants died from the disease. A recent serious pertussis outbreak struck Williamson County in central Texas, where more than 18 times the state average number of residents contracted the illness.

Adults, get the shot: By doing so, you might protect a baby.

Adults who contract whooping cough typically have milder cases. Therefore, they might not consider getting a pertussis shot. But if they do, the shot protects them, and more importantly, prevents them from spreading whooping cough to relatively defenseless babies. “Some of the infants who catch pertussis end up getting very sick and needing respirators and intensive care. Some infants even die,” says Dr. Murphey. Babies can’t receive their first pertussis vaccine until 2 months of age, and they aren’t fully protected until

they receive multiple doses, usually when they are 15 to 18 months old. That’s why it is important for adults who plan to be around an infant to get the Tdap vaccination, so they don’t pass the disease along to the unprotected infant. “We can’t get rid of the worse disease in the young without controlling the very mild infection in adults, so adults should get vaccinated,” explains Murphey.

Don’t just get a tetanus shot, get Tdap instead.

“If my patients need a tetanus vaccine I recommend they get the Tdap shot for added protection instead,” says Juan Fitz, MD, an emergency physician in Lubbock and chair of TMA’s Committee on EMS and Trauma.

Who should get Tdap vaccine? The Tdap vaccine is available and recommended for all adolescents and adults, especially:

• Women who have just had a baby, if they have not received Tdap in the past;

• Anyone who has close contact with an infant less than 12 months

See SHOT, Page 8

March 24, 2011

By Steve EscajedaSpecial to the Courier

1973

2011

38Years

With the NCAA basketball tournament going on right now you would think everything is good in the wide wide world of sports.

But it isn’t.With every dunk, foul, time out and

3-pointer by a college team, there is the chance that we’ll see no passes, tackles, interceptions or touchdowns by our favorite NFL teams in the fall.

And I can’t think of many things worse than that – sports wise.

And to be honest, in the past I always seemed to be on the side of the owners in these kinds of negotiations because players were always making millions and it never was enough for them.

That kind of complaining never seemed to hold water with the fans who were paying high prices just to see these guys play. And the vast majority of these fans will never make a millions bucks in their lifetimes.

But this year things are a little different.I have to admit that I’m kind of siding with

Football owners and players need to get it togetherthe players this time because they really aren’t asking for anything – they are just trying to keep what they’ve got.

I have no problem with the owners saying they are losing money – every entity in America is losing money and will probably continue losing money for a few years to come.

But the owners are refusing to show the players their financial records. If you are going to claim that you are losing money it seems pretty obvious to me that you have to provide some proof.

Short of that you can pretty much claim anything.

If the owners really are losing money then the players should settle for just three-year $26-million contracts, instead of three-year $32-million.

I don’t know how they’ll survive but I’m sure they’ll find a way. Maybe they can live with one less Lamborghini?

If the owners cannot prove they are losing money, then I think they’re pretty lucky that the players are willing to keep the status quo.

But I definitely side with the players when it comes to an 18-game season.

Please, keep the season at 16 games. I’ve always believed that changes are necessary for things that don’t work any more. But if a 16-game schedule is working well, why should the owners change it?

I know, I know, like everything else – for the money. But there are so many reasons that 18 games are just too much.

Aside from all the potential injuries from playing two extra games, many of the conferences will be decided with four or five weeks to go. We already complain that teams shut their regular season down with two weeks to go because they’ve already clinched.

That is unfair to the fans, who pay good money to watch the best players in the world but have to settle for a bunch of second stringers on teams that don’t want to risk injury to their star players.

Another reason to hate the 18-game schedule has to do with the rookies coming in and other players trying to keep roster spots.

With 18 games, means two less exhibition games. That means much less time to show the coaches that they are worthy of making the team.

As far as the rookie salary cap – I think

everybody is for that. It’s about time rookies accomplished something on the field before receiving monster contracts that pay them more than stars that have been playing in the league for six years.

But there is one thing that really hurts the players – their big mouths.

Like not hitting the send-key, some of the players should think before they say something completely stupid.

Like the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson, who compared the owners’ treatment of players to “modern day slavery.”

Gee, I wonder how many real slaves had the freedom to come and go as they pleased, were cheered by thousands of white fans and made almost $11 million in one year?

Then the players’ representatives put out a letter pressuring the top rookies to boycott the upcoming NFL draft. C’mon guys, talk about losing the public relations battle with stupid words and choices.

I’ve got a feeling this work stoppage is going to go the way most of them do – the owners will hold out as long as they want and they players will hold out until their wives miss that second paycheck.

A sporting view By Mark Vasto

The Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates that $2.5 billion is changing hands during the NCAA basketball tournament this year.

The wagering is, of course, illegal, or the FBI wouldn’t be reporting that fact. And that’s probably why they trumpeted the fact that they had busted a guy who lived in my neighborhood’s vicinity for operating an NCAA gambling ring of something like $3.6 million over

Duh, winninga span of three years. I mean, surely it couldn’t be because they wanted to flash their navy-blue windbreakers all over town.

Their press release said something along the lines of “if you gamble, you lose” – as if that was a concept Mr. Gambler didn’t already know. I’m not here to make moral judgments, but that’s really saying something when .000017 percent of the take justifies 30 or so feds in your front yard.

When it comes to gambling on the NCAA tournament, it’s pretty much akin to licking your thumb and sticking it in the air to see which way the wind blows. I’m often asked for my advice on tournament bracketology, and I always give the same answer: never pick a No. 16 seed and then start flipping quarters. I have never once won an NCAA tournament pool, but I have seen dozens of Dr Pepper gulping, quarter-flipping, doughnut-slamming office workers who never so much as touched a basketball outside of their cubicles win them with astonishing ease.

So, in a sense, it’s like Hollywood. The film industry pundits have been

talking up the possibility of reviving the “Major League” franchise. This comes on the heels of Charlie Sheen’s astonishing ability to garner more press coverage than an earthquake.

Sheen, as most sports fans know, portrayed the closer’s role – “Wild Thing” – in the original “Major League” movie. When asked if he was going to do the film, he laughed and said that without even talking to his agent he would, but the ball wasn’t in his hand.

To paraphrase (because listening to his recorded rants, while incredibly humorous to me, warps my brain), he said that the producers had two options: cast him and make billions or do not and make paltry sums. The fact that an apparent drug-addled, past-his-prime actor could pass for a major leaguer is a bit beyond the pale. But hey – money has proven to be quite a motivator in that racket.

And isn’t that always the deal?

The NCAA introduced the concept of the “First Four” for this year’s tournament and, to me, it’s a relative joke. I know it’s drawing the dollars but, like the FBI bust in my neighborhood vicinity, it’s infinitesimal in the large scheme of things. As Sheen points out over and over, it’s about winning, duh. And just like those No. 16 seeds have never made a dent in the first round, what is there really to gain from an additional four less-than-16 seeds?

That guy who got busted for the gambling ring? He’s about to be sentenced and will spend the better part of his retirement years in a federal penitentiary. The jury is still out on Sheen. Either way, the safe bet is to pencil in Duke.

Duh.____________________________Mark Vasto is a veteran sportswriter and publisher of The Kansas City Luminary. (c) 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

March 24, 2011

Comix

Super Crossword

OUT ON A LIMB By Gary Kopervas

AMBER WAVES By Dave T. Phipps

THE SPATS By Jeff Pickering

R.F.D. By Mike Marland

Your good health By Paul G. Donahue, M.D.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: About 40 years ago, when I was in my 30s, I was examined by a famous heart doctor who went over me with great care and concluded I had mitral valve prolapse. He put me on medicine, which I have taken to this day. He also insisted I take antibiotics before dental work. That doctor died, and my new doctor, quite young, says I don’t have mitral valve prolapse and that I don’t need medicine or antibiotics before dental work. He saw that I doubted him, so he had me get an echocardiogram. It showed no mitral valve problem. I still wonder about this. I can’t accept that my former doctor was wrong. – J.P.

The mitral valve regulates blood flow from the upper left heart chamber – the left atrium – to the lower left heart chamber, the ventricle. When the ventricle contracts, it pumps blood out of the heart. Simultaneously the mitral valve closes to prevent backflow of blood into the left atrium. Mitral valve prolapse means that the mitral valve balloons upward into the left atrium during heart pumping and might leak blood.

In the 1960s, around the time you were diagnosed with this condition, mitral valve prolapse was first described and became a very popular diagnosis. Many of those who were then given a diagnosis of it really didn’t have it. The condition was written about in newspapers and magazines, and dire consequences were ascribed to it.

Now, with new knowledge of how this valve works and with new equipment such as echocardiograms (sound-wave pictures of the heart), a clearer picture of the mitral valve is obtainable. Most people who have a ballooning valve are not considered to have a serious medical condition. In only a handful of these people does a significant leak of blood occur. Those are the people who require treatment, and those are the people

who take antibiotics before certain dental procedures.

Your doctor wasn’t wrong. He was a victim of the inadequate knowledge of that era.

Heart-valve disease is quite common. The booklet on it describes the more prevalent varieties. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue – No. 105W, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What is your opinion of prolotherapy? I have quite severe osteoarthritis in both thumbs and have been receiving cortisone injections for it. I was told that prolotherapy would be more effective than cortisone and that the relief would be longer-lasting. – B.N.

Prolotherapy involves the injection of various substances around damaged ligaments and tendon attachments. It triggers inflammation. The inflammation, in turn, promotes healing by stimulating collagen formation. Often the material injected is dextrose (sugar) mixed with lidocaine (an anesthetic).

Some reports say that it is quite successful in things like tennis and golf elbow, where the pain comes from ligament tears. Other reports question its efficacy. It won’t hurt you.

I find it hard to believe it is more effective than cortisone for the inflammation of arthritis.___________________________Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. (c) 2011 North America Synd., Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TRIPLETSACROSS

1 Press 6 Press 11 Press 16 Ramis or Robbins 17 Immature insect 18 _ -than-thou 20 Dressed down 21 Stage backdrop 22 Displayed 24 TV’s “The _ Patrol” 25 Rock’s _ & the Juniors 27 Triangular sail 29 _ later date 30 Gung-ho 32 Cassowary kin 33 Muff 34 Starting at 35 Salami city 37 Bouillabaisse or burgoo 40 “An apple _ …” 42 Deck type 43 Reel 45 Reel 47 Reel 48 Choir member 50 “Don’t Be _” (‘56 hit) 51 Have in mind 52 Sound 55 Sound 56 Sound 59 Nobelist Wiesel 60 Dundee denizens 62 TV’s “_ Incredible!”

64 Trickle 66 Sticky stuff 67 Tint 68 Broad st. 69 Fairy queen 70 Creative work 72 Terra _ 74 “What _ boy am I!” 76 Lowdown singer? 77 Pop 79 Pop 81 Pop 83 Charged atoms 84 Musical movement 86 Sheep’s shaker 87 Bar 89 Bar 91 Bar 94 Move swiftly 95 Hammer part 96 Campus grp. 98 Chou _100 Artist Benjamin101 Pres. candidate of 1952102 Wee one104 TV’s “The _ Show”105 Parker of football106 Vintner Gallo109 _ blade111 Compass pt.112 “Vostok I” passenger114 Nest and burrow116 Lamb, e.g.119 Indian Zoroastrian120 Boxer Griffith121 Perfect examples

122 Bear123 Bear124 Bear

DOWN 1 Arroyo or Hingis 2 History division 3 Speck 4 _ France 5 Cartoonist Charles 6 Panache 7 Cole or Coleman 8 Weimaraner’s warning 9 Ellipse 10 Out-of-this-world org. 11 Joyful 12 Fido’s friend 13 Golfer Dutra 14 Place before place 15 Yvonne of “The Munsters” 16 Flung 19 Update a factory 20 Improve oneself, in a way 23 Clammy 26 Tavern staples 28 Glum drop? 31 Contribute 34 Covers 36 Bill of Rights grp. 38 Catchall abbr. 39 City districts 40 “Secret _ Man” (‘66 song) 41 Singer Shannon

42 Autumn birthstone 44 Greek vowels 46 Computer abbr. 47 Vast quantities 49 Nero Wolfe’s hobby 51 Apportion 52 Take the honey and run 53 - City, IA 54 “_ Sixteen” (‘60 song) 56 Destruction 57 Tarzan, for one 58 It makes rye high 59 Freud topic 61 Pro _ (for now) 63 Crone 65 “Nova” network 71 Tap 72 Baptism site 73 Descending, to Donne 74 Calculating reptile? 75 Olive _ 76 Fit in 78 Plunder 80 “Ask _ Girl” (‘59 film) 82 Annoy 84 Actress Charlotte 85 Granada gold 87 North Pole sight 88 Bouquet 89 _ majesty 90 Footfall 92 “_ Watched

Trains” (‘66 film) 93 Kirstie Alley’s birthplace 94 Kind of curtain 95 Wrote 97 Priest or rabbi 99 “_ Weak” (‘88 hit)101 Shakespearean sprite103 Singer Payne106 Celtic107 New York stadium108 Pyramid, for one109 Put the metal to the metal110 “Understood!”113 Onassis’ nickname115 1002, to Tiberius117 Augsburg article118 Calendar abbr.

Answer Page 4

March 24, 2011

Social Security Q&A By Ray Vigil

Answer Page 4

Answer Page 4

Answer Page 4

Answer Page 4

of age, including parents, siblings, grandparents, other family members, child care providers, and health care workers – including those over 65 years of age;

• Students entering the seventh grade;

• Undervaccinated children aged 7 through 10 years; and

• Adults, regardless of interval since they received their last tetanus or diphtheria-toxoid containing vaccine.

“Pertussis is increasing, yet it’s preventable. We need to stop its spread,” adds Murphey. He urges patients to talk to their physician about getting the Tdap vaccine and to learn more about it. “The only way to stop its growth is for adults to get Tdap vaccine. Get the shot and shield yourself from getting sick, and maybe protect an infant from a much worse fate.”

For more information on pertussis visit the TMA site at www.texmed.org.

ShotFrom Page 5

El Paso drivers with warrants in Socorro got a pre-dawn knock at the door last week from the

Socorro rounds up traffic violatorsBy David Garcia


Socorro Police Department. Four teams of officers, lead by the Socorro Municipal Court Bailiff, concentrated on warrants in east El Paso and Socorro.

Socorro taxpayers are owed more than $1.27 million dollars worth

of traffic violation fines in the last 2 years and the Socorro Municipal Court (SMC) is making these warrants a priority.

Four violators who had more than 10 warrants and owed more than $3,307 were rousted from their homes before daylight this morning.

Those who wanted to pay their fines and court costs were cut loose, while those who chose not to pay were booked into El Paso County Jail.

A month long Amnesty Period that ended yesterday brought forward 101 drivers who owed $26,576 dollars.

“This is going to be a normal practice now, if you don’t pay, we’ll go to your home or business and arrest you. It’s a lot of money owed to Socorro taxpayers and it’s our responsibility to execute these warrants. And we’re going to do it every week,” said SMC Judge Alex Vidales.

Q: I can’t get health insurance because of my pre-existing condition. Is there anything I can do?

A: You may be eligible for the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan – a program for people who have a pre-existing condition and have been without health insurance coverage for at least six months. For more information, call the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan toll-free: 1-866-717-5826 (TTY 1-866-561-1604) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Or visit www.pcip.gov and select “Find Your State” to learn about eligibility and how to apply.

Q: My neighbor said my kids, 4 and 12, might be eligible for survivors’ benefits since their mother died. Are they?

A: If their mother worked and earned the required number of

Social Security credits, both you and your children may be eligible for benefits. Apply promptly for survivors benefits because benefits are generally retroactive only up to six months. You can apply by calling Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For more information, read our publication Survivors Benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10084.html.

Q: My mother receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. She may have to enter a nursing home later this year. How does this affect her SSI benefits?

A: Moving to a nursing home can affect your mother’s SSI benefits but it depends on the type of facility. In some cases,

the SSI payment may be reduced or stopped. Whenever your mother enters or leaves a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, skilled nursing facility, or any other kind of institution, it is important that you tell Social Security. Call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions and provide free interpreter services from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We also provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.____________________________

For more information on any of the questions listed above, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213. If you have any questions that you would like to have answered, please mail them to the Social Security Office, 11111 Gateway West, Attn: Ray Vigil, El Paso, Texas 79935.

SERVING ANTHONY, INTON, ANUTILLO, AST MONTANA, …Mar 24, 2011 · assessment system; and Dr....

Documents

Transcript of SERVING ANTHONY, INTON, ANUTILLO, AST MONTANA, …Mar 24, 2011 · assessment system; and Dr....